Following the first back-to-back losing seasons in Sean Payton's career, the Super Bowl winning coach has recently been more transparent with the media than at any other time during his decade in New Orleans. And a good example of that occurred yesterday when Payton admitted the severe lack of leadership on the field, and in the locker room, following the exodus of veterans Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith, Malcolm Jenkins and Roman Harper among others. Here's Payton's take on the situation.

Much like the rest this week in New Orleans, Friday was an extremely tough day for many of the Crescent City's mourning residents. Not only was former player, scout, broadcaster, and Saints folk hero, Hokie Gajan laid to rest across the lake today, Will Smith's memorial service was also held at the New Orleans Saints practice facility this afternoon. It was wonderful to see the warmth and love throughout the emotional viewing...here are my thoughts and observations of the event.

The 9th episode of "Prime Time Sports with Scott Alexander" was a full on tribute to Saints legends Will Smith & Hokie Gajan. Former teammates Scott Shanle & Skyler Green talk about the man Smith was and local media sports anchors Lyons Yellin tell great Hokie Gajan stories as well. Mix some NFL Draft talk, another tribute featuring former Green Wave great Steve Foley with a Jordan Speith Masters collapse and the Warriors magical season, and this is a well-rounded show!

After Sean Payton's significant backlash from the country's ardent protectors of the Constitution's 2nd Amendment, Saints quarterback Drew Brees decided to take a different angle when talking about the violence in the Crescent City, and America in general. Brees, who was equally as passionate as his head coach in the wake of former teammate Will Smith's death, decided to take aim at the root of the problem instead of the weapons themselves. And for the rest of the story....

Following the violent death of his former player and friend, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton had a passionate plea for his adopted city. Although the basic message conveyed by Payton in his now-famous USA TODAY article was, "PLEASE STOP THE VIOLENCE", the only thing remembered by most 2nd Amendment protectors was "I HATE GUNS." Here's my (hopefully) impartial take on the entire situation...

Sports fans in the city of New Orleans woke up to the horrific news that one of its own was tragically killed last night. Murder in the Crescent City hardly creates a blip on the news radar these days; however, when it's former Pro Bowl New Orleans Saint Will Smith, it became the only news in town. But Smith was so much more than just a great football player, the decade-long Saints defensive lineman was also a community leader and family man. Here is my tribute to the great Will Smith.

New Orleans is truly one of the world's great cities, but there is a gnawing, persistent problem that continues to threaten it's perch among the best....violent crime. Former Saints Pro Bowl defensive lineman Will Smith was the Crescent City's latest victim. Last night, Smith was fatally gunned down in yet another senseless killing. But this is one murder where there may be more than meets the eye. Here's the latest in this tragic and bizarre story.